[Anchor]
It is being pointed out that human resource reform is the top priority for South Korean football to recover from the shock of the North and Central America World Cup. In particular, transitioning to a direct election system for the association president is considered essential to dismantle the entrenched power structure centered around President Chung Mong-gyu, often referred to as the "KFA (Korea Football Association) cartel." However, this appears to be easier said than done.
Reporter Hong Seok-jun investigates why.
[Reporter]
President Chung Mong-gyu, who has led the KFA since 2013, succeeded in securing a fourth term last year with overwhelming support, despite receiving a recommendation for heavy disciplinary action from the government.
The election system, which is seen as overwhelmingly favorable to the establishment, is cited as the reason behind this.
The current method is an indirect election where approximately 200 "electoral college" members cast their votes. About 30 percent of these members consist of association delegates and K-League club officials, leading to constant criticism that the playing field is tilted in favor of the incumbent president.
There is growing demand for a "direct election" system, where all association members vote, to break the status quo.
As President Chung has decided to step down after this World Cup, calls are mounting to implement a direct election starting with the next presidential race. However, there are significant challenges to overcome.
First, as the KFA is an affiliate of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), it must follow the committee's articles of association, which mandate an indirect election system for the heads of affiliate organizations.
[President Lee Jae-myung: The KSOC itself uses a direct election system and term limits, but what about the affiliate and regional organizations?]
[Yoo Seung-min / President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (December of last year): We originally used an indirect system, but we are revising the regulations. Starting with the KSOC presidential election in January 2029...]
The scale of the election is another variable.
The KFA has approximately 150,000 members. If a direct election were held, the number of voters would be similar to that of a district mayor election in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
However, FIFA prohibits online voting, citing concerns that the principle of secret ballots cannot be guaranteed.
In other words, to comply with FIFA regulations, in-person voting—not online voting—must be conducted. Preparing for an in-person direct election for 150,000 people would inevitably lead to a surge in costs and preparation time.
[Official from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee: If they were to set up around 100 gymnasiums or similar venues, it could cost billions of won, so the first concern would be how to cover these expenses.]
Furthermore, FIFA strictly prohibits third-party intervention, including government involvement, in elections, meaning the entire process must be handled with extreme caution.
In June, FIFA suspended the All Nepal Football Association, banning it from participating in FIFA-sanctioned tournaments such as the World Cup, after determining that the Nepalese government had interfered in the association's presidential election.
In short, the first step toward reform in the football community—improving the election system—requires strong will and effort from the KFA itself. Fans are increasingly concerned about whether the association, which is the very target of this reform, can solve this initial challenge.
Video by Nam Il | Graphics by Kim Ye-ji
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.